Thursday 27 February 2014

Gardening leave and a coconut lemon pound cake

So after 13 years of service at his current job Mr D has taken the plunge and decided to move on. It's a very exciting new chapter and I'm extremely proud of him.  BUT and yes there is a but...... he is now on Gardening Leave for the next month until his new job starts.  For those of your that haven't heard of Gardening Leave (and don't worry because I hadn't either) it's when your Company puts you on paid leave instead of working your notice period before leaving.  He's only been home a few days but he's driving me crazy already.

He has taken over my neatly organised desk AND my computer and not only can I NOT get any work done but I can't find anything either!!!  Not to mention the laying on the sofa playing games and telling me "Babe, I don't no what you complain about...staying at home all day is easy!!!" GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!  

He doesn't know it yet but I have decided that Gardening Leave is for gardening.  Literally.  I am desperate for someone to dig out all the weeds in the flower beds in our back yard and prepare them, so that I can plant sunflowers AND have a veggie patch.  I'm sure he can managed all that with a month at home.  Plus I know he is very good at it because he did up the garden in our last home in England.  So no excuses Mr D...... as soon as all this rain stops I will be putting your back to work!

Anyway I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and I will leave you with the DELICIOUS coconut pound cake recipe!!


Ingredients:

120g butter
20g stevia (or a sugar free equivalent)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
280g plain flour
100g desiccated coconut
170g coconut cream (I used the light version)

Optional topping (This part is NOT sugar free)
3-4 tbs icing sugar
coconut cream
grated lemon rind
1/2 lemon
desiccated coconut

Method:
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a loaf tin with grease proof paper.
  2. Cream the butter and stevia together in the thermomix (or food processor) for 1 to 2 minutes on speed 6.  You will need to stop it and scrape down the sides every 20 seconds.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix for 10-15 seconds on speed 5 for each one.  On the last egg, add the vanilla extract.
  4. Add the flour and the desiccated coconut and mix for 1 minute on speed 4.  It should turn to a sticky dough consistency.
  5. Add the coconut cream and mix for 45 seconds on speed 5.
  6. Pour into the lined loaf tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it is slightly browned (and cracked) on top, and a knife comes out clean when poked into the middle.  


Adding the glaze will make the cake taste even yummier, but it does mean that it's no longer totally sugar free.  To make it, put the icing sugar into a bowl and then squeeze half a lemon into it and mix it into a paste.  Slowly add the coconut cream until you have your desired consistency. I like mine really runny.  Once the cake is cooled, pour the glaze over the top and then add some desiccated coconut and grated lemon rind to make it look pretty.

ENJOY x

She certainly loved it.

Do have a parter that works from home?? 


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14 comments:

  1. That looks to be the prettiest cake, Mrs D. I'll bet it tastes even better. Good luck to Mr D (and to you! When home unexpectedly, they're just... there, aren't they!)x

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    1. Yep!! Although I shouldn't really complain as it's actually quite nice having someone else to do the school drop off and pick ups xx

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  2. Gardening leave is a good time in one's career. You've left one company yet paid not to go to work. Awesome!
    As for that coconut pound cake? I'm bookmarking it, baby!!! x

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    1. Getting paid to NOT go to work is pretty awesome isn't it. You must try the cake, its so yummy and will be perfect after your chicken feet xx

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  3. Liking the look of that cake Robyn!
    I wish some gardening leave would happen around here, my husband is at work way too much for both our liking. x

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    1. That really sucks doesn't it. I have been there too and it's really tough on everyone. Have some cake instead xxx

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  4. Hi Mrs D, as you know Bearhands works here on the farm. Luckily, he has his own computer in the shed and isn't inside trying to use mine. The only downside is, once a week I have to have a coffee cup muster to retrieve all the cups that don't make in back inside. xx

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    1. Would you believe that I have to retrieve coffee cups from the bathroom every morning! He takes his coffee into the bathroom when he's shaving,showering etc and ALWAYS leaves it there - along with a wet towel on the floor!! Have a great week honey xxxxx

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  5. Ha ha I can see her eyes light up with that gorgeous food in front of her, she has her mummy's beautiful eyes! And I hear about wanting to put hubby to work, the weeds won't pull themselves out!!!! Have a great week gorg and can't wait to see you in August xx

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    1. Thank you gorgeous lady - you say the nicest things and always make me smile!! Tickets go on sale tomorrow - yippeee!!! Can't wait to see you xx

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  6. Sounds like a very doable recipe! I can do without the icing too. Can I just check that you do mean coconut cream and not coconut milk? And I love your pink polka dot tablecloth... really adds a wonderful splash of colour.

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    1. Thank you! My lovely friend Amanda at My Little Table Designs made it. She has the most gorgeous selection of home made table cloths. And yes, it's definitely coconut cream I used. I hope you enjoy it xx

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  7. I think my long winded comment may have just disappeared :(

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  8. Mmmm i wonder how this would work without any artificial sugar or sugar free equivilent?? Sounds delicious. I think i'll just have to try and see how it tastes :)

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Thanks so much for your comment. I LOVE hearing from you all and will do my best to reply xxx